Temperature control mechanism



p 1951 F. J. CANTALUPO ETAL 2,569,402

TEMPERATURE CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Feb. 9, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 p 1951F. J. CANTALUPO ETAL 2,569,402

TEMPERATURE CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Feb. 9, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l I-IIIII II/Il/l/J VIII/III);

Patented Sept. 25, 1951 TEMPERATURE CONTROL MECHANISM Francis J.Cantalupo, Chicago, Edmond P. De Craene, Westchester, and Raymond P.Setka,

. Chicago, Ill., assignors to Crane 00., Chicago,

Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application February 9, 1948, Serial No.7,208

7 Claims. (01. 297-3) This invention relates to a temperature controlmechanism. More particularly, it is concerned with a novel temperaturecontrol mechanism for use with a valve for example suitable forinstallation on an automatic washing machine or the like.

In order to obtain a better appreciation of the advantages of thisinvention, it should be understood at the outset that in connection withvalves useful for service on automatic washing machines, such as thatdescribed in patent application Serial #790,638, filed December 9, 1947,now Patent No. 2,548,516, dated April 10, 1951, it has frequently beenobjected that with the beltemperatures within specific limitations, a

greater torque is necessary to operate and there- More particularly, itshould be understood that the valve with which this invention isassociated is used on an assembly wherein the spring is compressed to apredetermined length to obtain desired resistance to the bellows so thatthe regulating closure member of the valve will be prop:- erly actedupon.

As evidenced from the patent application identified by the serial numberreferred to above, it is the normal procedure that hot andcold waterpass through the respective inlets of the valve as hereinafterdescribed, and also in the usual practice the adjustment control of thisinvention is set to obtain 90 degrees Fahrenheit mixed water. e

As will hereinafter become more readily ap- 138161113111 the preferredform of our invention the ratchet employed is designed to provideseveral notches in order to obtain a predetermined temperature settingfor each notch, which advantage is lacking in the-prior art.

It is therefore an important object to provide a constructionwhereby-the turning of the temperature control stem in aclockwisedirection and holding it with either a pawl or trigger thedesired gap between regulating closure member and the bellows ismaintained, which thus permits the bellows to expand and thereby enablea higher temperature to be attained before actuating the regulatingclosure member. I As will herena p or f i pp rent. to return lowsnormally employed to control the water "1115 the adjustment control stemto its original setting of degrees F., the pawl will be disengaged bysome independent source, as for example, by an electro-magnet. Theresilient element, such as a spring, then forces the bellows against theregulating closure member thereby shutting oif the hot water supply,admitting cold water and allowing the bellows to'contract and theadjusting stem to return to the 90 degrees F. position.

It is therefore another important object of this invention to provide astructure which enables an operator or a user of an automatic washingmachine or the like to select one of the various wash temperatures andthen to afterward automatically secure a lower predetermined rinse watertemperature when desired. This combined advantage is a feature clearlymissing in previous constructions.

Other equally important objects and advantages of this invention willbecome more readily apparent upon proceeding with the followingspecification read in light of the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1is a fragmentary sectional assembly .view of a valve embodying our noveltemperature control.

: Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 22 .of Fig. 1. v

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the valve in side elevation.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views.

Referring now to Fig. 1, an automatic washing machine valve is shown ofthe general type referred to in the patent application serial numberabove identified. It comprises the usual body or casing I in which thelower housing 2 has the respective hot and cold water inlets 3 and 4.The latter housing is attached to the casing I by means of the screws 5and is held in sealed relation therewith by means of the gasket 6. Thecasing is connected by the usual inner passages communicating with therespective hot and cold water inlets and is provided with a centralchamber 1 having a main valve closure member therewithin (not shown) anda thermostatic connection with the valve patent application.

above referred to. The construction described thus far is not newinsofar :as this-.contributionris concerned but has been describedmerely because it embodies the novel temperature control-:mechanismwhich forms the basis of the instant invention.

Assuming that it becomes necessary or desirabl to control the amount ofexpansible-movement of the thermostatic element 8, the gasket sealingelement 12 having the depending corrugated "tubular portion I3 makes afluid seal connection at the lower .end of the adjustingrstem [-4 bymeans ofthe flatgasket l5. Th adjusting stem Ill and the "lower portionof the bellows 43 are reciprocally movable and depend upon :the degreeof axial movement established in the responses :f the thermal element'Btotemperature changes. As indicated, the upper portioniof the casing I,the base :16 of the housing 11 is 'held in leak-proof relation to thecasing l by means of the :gasket 12, thezhousing being aperturedzas at 3to permit the projection of the adjusting stem 14 'there'through. Theadjusting stem 14 is provided with the integral adjusting :nut Ma andthe lock nut '19 whereby the coupling cup:2:i mounted threadedly on theadjusting stem may b suitably positioned axially .relative to theadjusting .stem depending upon the .amount of thread engagement at 122..iSuperposed above the cup member 12l and mounted upon the main stem 20is the nut 23 threadedly engageable by the quick running threads of th:said stem. :Supported .upont-the nut 23 is the overrun spring 31. Atthe upper end of the housing 17, the pawl bracket 24 is mounted, beingsuitably held to the housing by means of the rivets :25, the :form ofthe bracket being shown more clearly in Fig. I2. 'The bracket member 24serves as a vertical support for the pawl 26, pivotallyrmounted on theshaft .21 and being locked in position by means of the Washer 23. Theend 29 of the pawl 16 engages suitable notches 3| in the ratchet :32,the ratchet :being held non-rotatably on the stem '20 by means of theset-screw 33 -:so as to hold the ratchet in such described position. Theopposite integral end portion 34 of the pawl or trigger member .26 issuitably actuated as hereinafter described :by means of theelectro-magnet '35.

After a predetermined initial :setting for a washing operation, theelectro-magnetBfi is lectrically energized by means of the lineconnectionsxmade at the terminals 43, the end portions 34 being drawntoward the electro-magnet. Contact is made at .36 and thus disengagesthe opposite endof the pawl member 26 from the notch 3| of the ratchet32 thereby allowing the stem under the influenc of the spring :31 toreverse itself causing the ratchet 3 2 to be rotated and causingthe stem20 to be similarly rotated in the .same direction upon the quick threadsof the stem .as illustrated. Because of the quick threads employed onthe stem 20, the spring 31 can easily rotat the stem as described. Thisrotation causes the adjusting stem M to move .th pawhthecoiled spring ilholds the pawl 23 4 downward, thereby permitting the thermal element 8to return to its original setting.

At this stage of operation all hot water is shut ofi and the thermalelement is returned to its original setting of 90 degrees F. mixed wateror whatever previous setting was required in the washing cycle. 'Thereturn temperature setting is controlled by means of the ha-ndwheel 33nonrotatably mounted by means of the square 39 upon the stem 30. For theresilient mounting of uitably in engagement with the notches 3! of theratchet 532, the :spring having the integral vertical'extension fl. Thusa convenient and simple actuating control of the temperature of thewater-as it passes through the valve and machine .is obtained.

The rotation of the ratchet 32 is predeterminedly limited or stopped inth usual manner .spective inlets 3 and 4.

by means of the ratchet pin 64 and the stop '35 on the housing 1 l.

The detailed description of operation of the foregoing temperaturecontrol mechanism :of

valve for automatic washing machine :follows.

The main valve is assembled with the spring 31 compressed to apredetermined lengthin order to obtain su-fficient loading sothat theregulating closure member .(not shown) will be actuated by temperatureto control the desired volume 'or .mixture of .hot and cold waterentering the :re-

The rotatable ratchet 32 :is selectively positioned so that the firstnotch is engaged bythe pawl 34,:and locked securely in that position bymeans of headless set-screw :33.

Assume that the valve as thus assembled is tobe set for approximatelydegrees F. temperature of mix. Hot and cold water are then passedthrough respective inlets .3 and land the valve is set for desired 90degrees F. :mixed water by means of the adjusting stem 14; It is lockedin .the latter position by-means of the lookn-ut i9.

Toobtain ahigher mixed temperature the ternperature control or main stem3.0'is turned clockwise by means "of handwlsieel 38 to the desired notchwhere it is :held by rneans of pawl 13 i and the eoiled paw-l spring 4-!with its extension 42. The turning of the temperature control stem 38clockwise creates a gap between the bellows ii and regulating closuremember -(-not shown) thereby permitting the bellows 8 to attain a highertemperature before actuating the regulating closure member. To returnthe adjustment control stem .13 to the original setting of 90 degreesFL, the paw-l 134 is disengaged by energizing the "electro-magnet 35 andthe spring 3'? then forces the bellows "-8 downward shutting on the hotwater and supply and admitting cold water alone and thereby allowing thebellows to contract until the original setting of 90 degrees mixed wateris again obtained.

Obviously thenotches 31 on the ratchet can be spaced to obtain anydesired gradation 'of mixed (temperatures.

By means of the usual controls described in the patent applicationreferred to, the water passes through the casing portion 9 and then outthrough the outlet 43, as shown more clearly in Fig. 2. Because of thearrangement hereinabove described, it should be obvious that without anyfurther act on the part of the user the'danger of continuing with hotwater is eliminated, which is important for example in connection withthe washing of woolens whereby shrinking occurs, and this also appliesto other relative delicate and e pe fa r cs When t anual "s tting ismade so as to allow forthero'tation of the ratchet 32, it becomesnecessary to again reset the ratchet manually before the cycleas abovereferred to can be obtained, and eliminates any danger of forgetfulnesson the part of the user. Briefly the use of the electro-magnet requiresa new manual resetting. r

Obviously, numerous changes may be made in the embodiments shown anddescribed. Accordingly the spirit of the invention should be interpretedin light of the appended claims.

1. The combination in a thermal adjustment mechanism, a housing, anaxially expandible thermostatic element, an adjusting stem movable withthe said thermostatic element, a main stem movable with the saidadjusting stem, a threaded nut movable axially relative to the main,stem, a ratchet fixed to the said main stem, resilient means interposedbetween the nut of the said main stem and said housing to actuate thesaid ratchet, a casing for the said thermostatic element, the saidhousing supporting said main stem, means engaging the said ratchet torestrain the latter against rotation, independently actuated means forreleasing the said latter ratchet engaging means to permit saidresilient means to actuate the said ratchet, means for rotating the saidratchet after the said ratchet has been actuated by the saidindependently actuated means, the said means for engaging the ratchetcomprising a spring and a pawl resiliently mounted relative to saidspring, the latter member normally holding said pawl in engagement withnotches of the said ratchet, whereby predetermined rotation of the saidmain stem permits the thermostatic element to expand to certain limitsby creation of a predetermined end gap.

2. In a combined thermostatic control and adjusting mechanism, athermostatic element therefor, mounting means for the said thermostaticelement including a housing, adjustable stem actuating means cooperatingwith the said thermostatic element having quick running threads, otheractuating means co-extensive with the said first-named actuating meansand having a journalled connection with the latter means by engagementwith the said running threads, resilient means between the journalledconnection of the second-named stem actuating means and the saidhousing, locking means comprising a ratchet for predeterminedly holdingthe said second-named actuating means against rotation, the said lockingmeans being supported by the said housing, pivotal means normallyengaging said locking means, the said locking means being fixed to thesaid second-named actuating means for selectively actuating the saidlocking means to cooperate with the said second-named actuating means toreturn the said locking means to its original setting after being movedby the said first-named stem actuating means.

3. In a temperature control and adjusting mechanism including athermostatic element,an adjustable actuating member cooperating withsaid thermostatic element, cup form connecting means therebetween, asecond actuating member comprising a main stem having a running threadengaging the said connecting means to join with the said first-namedactuating member, a housing for support of the said thermostaticelement, resilient means interposed between the said main stem and thesaid housing, the said housing supporting said second actuating member,a rotatable toothed locking member operatively en gageable with the saidsecond actuating member, resiliently mounted pivotal means engageablewith the said locking member, electrically actuated means forpredeterminedly releasing the said pivotal means, the said secondactuating member having means for rotating the said looking member afterthe latter member has been actuated by the said electrically actuatedmeans. 4. In a thermostatic adjusting mechanism of the characterdescribed, the combination comprising a thermostatic'element, supportingmeans for the said thermostatic element, divided stem adj usting meanscomprising upper and lower portions cooperating with the saidthermostatic element, one of the said divided stem portions havingconnecting running threads with the other portion, the other portionconsisting of a stem having a nut for connection with the runningthreads of said first-named divided stem portion, resilient meanssupported by the said nut connection between the thermostatic elementsupporting means and the adjusting means, locking means including a pawland ratchet for said adjusting means, the said locking means being fixedto the upper portion of the adjusting means, electrical means foractuating the said locking means at predetermined times, manual meanscooperating with said upper portion of the adjusting means to move thesaid locking means to its original setting after actuation by the saidelectrical means.

5. Adjusting mechanism for a, thermally actuated valve or the like, thecombination comprising a thermostatic element within the valveresponsive to changes in temperature therewithin, an adjusting stem tocooperate with the said thermostatic element, a main stem axiallymovable relative to an end of said adjusting stem and formingsubstantially a continuation thereof, a nut on the main stem, resilientmeans supported by the said nut, a ratchet fixed to the said main stemand supported by the latter member, the said ratchet beingpredeterminedly actuated by the said resilient means, a handle foractuating the said main stem, a pawl normally engaging the said ratchet,independent means to operate the pawl to cause the latter element to bewithdrawn from engagement with the said ratchet upon actuation of saidindependent means, the said pawl being normally held in engagement withthe said ratchet, the said main stem providing means for resetting thesaid thermostatic element whereby the rotation of the said main stemcauses the adjusting stem to be moved downward thereby permitting thesaid thermal element to be returned to its original setting.

6. Adjusting mechanism for a thermally responsive valve or the like, thecombination including an expansible thermostatic element within thevalve responsive to changes in temperature, an adjusting stem axiallycooperating with the said thermostatic element to regulate the responseof the latter, a main stem connected to the said adjusting stem, a nuton the main stem, resilient means supported by the said nut, a ratchetfixed to the main stem and being non-rotatably mounted relative to thesaid latter stem, the said ratchet being actuated by the said resilientmeans, a handle for actuating the main stem, a pawl normally engagingthe said ratchet, independent means for moving the pawl to withdraw thelatter member from engagement with the ratchet upon actuation of thesaid independent means, the said pawl being normally held resiliently inengagement with the said ratchet, the said main stem providing forresetting the thermostatic element to its original position uponactuation of the main stem, thesaid'ratchet when predeterminedly engagedby the pawlallowing for lag between the said thermal element and theadjusting stem.

-'7. In a thermal adjusting mechanism of the character described, thecombination including 'a, thermostatic element of theexpandible-contractible type, a housing superposed above the saidthermostatic element, an adjusting stem therefor, a main stem projectingfrom an upper portion of the said housing and cooperating with the saidadjusting stem to regulate the axial movement of the latter in relationto the thermostatic element, a nut threadedly mounted on the main stem,resilient means interposed between a portion of the said housing and thesaid nut mounted on the said main stem, a bracket on the housing, aratchet on the said bracket non-rotatably mounted relative to the saidmain stem, a spring member on the bracket, a pawl cooperating withsaidspring member to resiliently engage the said-ratchet, electromagneticmeans for predeterminedly releasing the said pawl from engagement withsaid ratchet, the said main stem having actuating means for thereuponrotating the said ratchet in cooperation with the said bracket springmember.

FRANCIS J. CANTALUPO. E ON P. DE CRAENE. RAYMOND P. SETKA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Harvey June 5, 1945 Bowen June 8, 1948Brown Aug. 31, 1948 Number

